Images

An EESC Intern working with Paula Henry conducts crayfish research at the Eastern Ecological Science Center in Laurel, MD

What’s so cool about this bird? Check out that large seed-cracking, grasshopper-chomping bill, that helps us ID this as a Blue Grosbeak. Based on its plumage, the banders were able to determine this bird was born this year and was caught in the same net as two other young Blue Grosbeaks.

Dr. Cheyenne Smith of the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center coaches USGS Idaho Water Science Center hydrologic technician Niko Parrish in dissecting a mountain whitefish from northern Idaho's Kootenai River. The samples for histopathology analyses were collected as part of monitoring and assessment of water quality in the transboundary Kootenai River basin.

Biologists from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources use electrofishing to monitor populations of invasive blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) in the Potomac River.

In 2024, the long-term fall migration bird banding station at Patuxent Research Refuge had it's first Prairie Warbler since 2019!  

Scientists at the banding station collect population data, including age and sex. Due to color contrast, Indigo Bunting wings are a great example of the feather wear and replacement that scientists look at to age a bird. This male Indigo Bunting has 3 different feather ages, which tells us it was born last year.

Hooded Warbler are a treat at the EESC Bird Banding Lab Fall Migration Station, as the station bands an average of two each fall. Based on data collected, the individual pictured hatched this year and is a male.

This house wren was banded during the fall migration banding activities at EESC's Bird Banding Laboratory in Laurel, MD. 

Headshot for Sydney Shumar, scientist with the The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Bee Lab at the Eastern Ecological Science Center.

Density plots showing higher probability of host occupancy, on average, under proactive disease management (b, right) versus reactive disease management (a, left) for chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal). Adapted from 

Hunter Tyler Coleman holds two harvested ducks - both birds have been banded. Coleman is wearing a necklace of bands he's collected over the years. 

Cheyenne Smith is a post doctoral research fish biologist with the Eastern Ecological Science Center

A ghost forest stands in Goose Creek State Park in North Carolina. This is an example of a freshwater forested wetland that is transitioning to open water.

Alewife, also known as river herring, swim along a rocky bottom. The fish are silvery and shiny. 

A ghost forest stands in Goose Creek State Park in North Carolina. This is an example of a freshwater forested wetland that is transitioning to open water.

Close-up of two ducks harvested by Tyler Coleman. The ducks have both been banded. 

Hunter Tyler Coleman holds two harvested ducks that have been banded. Coleman believes all hunter should report bands. 

Preacher, a Boykin spaniel, holds a harvest duck in his mouth. He belongs to longtime waterfowl hunter Tyler Coleman. The duck has bird bands on its legs. 

Biological Science Technician, Kyle Hubbard, assists with checking and installing passive integrated transponder antennas for Kevin Mulligan's East Coast Ladder study in the East flume of the Fish Passage Complex at the Conte Lab.

Osprey nestling nearing age of fledging sits on a nest of sticks on a raised platform. 

An osprey landing on its nest with game camera capturing images of young and prey delivery. The osprey nests on the Choptank River.